Device for fastening grain-doors in cars.



PATENTED JULY 28, 1903.

F. H. BENNETT. 'DEVIGE FOR FASTENING-GRAIN noons IN CARS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 26, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

is a side elevation of a car-door embodying UN TED S ATES" Patented. July as, 1903.

I PATENT OFF CE.

FArETTE H. BENNETT, oEIToPEKA, KANSAS.

DEVICE FOR FAS-TENING GRAIN-nooks IN CARS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Iiatent No. 734,801, dated July as, 1903. Application filed July 26,1902. Serial No. 117,196. (NdmodeL) To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FAYETTE H. BENNETT,

and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and usefullmprovements in Oar-Doors,

of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates more particularly to improvements in doors for grain and other freight cars; and it consists in certain novel features of the device illustrated in the accompanying drawings, aswill be hereinafter first fully described and then distinctly pointed out in the claim.

In the drawings just mentioned, Figure 1 my inventionlooking from the interior of the car. Fig. 2 is a horizontal section of the same taken on the line was of Fig. l and look ing downward. Fig. 3 is a transverse vertical section, and Fig. 4 is a detail view, of the gravity locking-dog or drop-latch.

V In carrying out my invention I employ a locking-bar A, which is journaled eccentrically in the floor of the car and in the roof or the supporting-frame. This lockingbar is arranged fiush with and to the inner side of the door-post, a space being left between the door- I I post and the locking-bar sufficient to admit the grain-door. The locking-bar is provided with a series of short spurs or teeth 13, adapted to enter into the grain-door in the operation of the device, and at its upper end it is provided with a handle or lever C, which is adapted to projectinto and play in the door-opening, as clearly shown. In the frame of the car over the door-opening I form a longitudinal slot D, in which is pivotally mounted a drop-latch or locking-dog E, adapted to bear against the side of the lever 0 when the door is locked and hold it against any movement or jarring caused by vibration of the car when in mo tion. The inner faces of the door-posts are preferably faced with-metal to furnish a.

strong bearing to receive the pressure exerted by the locking-barsand also to prevent nail- 7 understood. The grain-door (or the boards used for that'purpose) is placed in position with its end between the door-post and the locking-bar, after which the lever on said bar is turned toward the outer side of the car, thus bringing the eccentric portion of the bar to bear upon the door and binding it against the door-post so as to hold it. The same movement forces the spurs or teeth on the looking-bar into the door, so as to effectually prevent any rising or slipping of the same. As the lever or handle is moved outward it will push the dog or gravity droplat-ch upward until it has cleared the same, when the dog will drop by its own weight into engagement with the outer side or edge of the lever and .positively prevent a reverse movement thereof. When it is desired to open the door, the

swung toward the inner side of the car, there- "by releasing the pressure of the locking-bar on the door. removed.

' It will be seen from theforegoing description that I have provided a very simple eonstruction by which the door will be positively held in'its closed position and which will not destroy the boards, thus permitting their repeated use. The automatic drop-latch is entirely within the wooden frame of the car and is consequently protected against bending or other injury. The operating lever or handle is of such a length that while it may be easily manipulated yet it will not project beyond the weather-boarding of the car when the door is closed, so that it will not interfere in the least degree with the movement of the outer door.

While I have shown two locking-plates, one at each side of the door, it will be understood that only one might be used, the opposite side or edge of the door being held in a groove or keeper in the door-frame.

' Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

. In a cardoor, the combination with the frame, and the door, of a vertically-disposed locking-oar adapted to bind the door against The door may then readily be name to this specification in the presence of the frame, a lever projecting horizontally two subscribing witnesses.

from the upper end of the locking-bar into the door-opening and a do pivot-ally mount- 1 ed in the frame above the door-opening and FAYETrlE T 5 adapted. to ride over the said lever against the side of the same.

In testimony whereof I have signed my and bear Witnesses:

- A. H. BENNETT,

E. E. ROUDEBUSH. 

